Christine Arguelles of Coconut Creek Arrested After Daughter Brought Drug-Laced Candy to School

Christina Arguelles of Coconut Creek, Florida is behind bars after her 14-year-old daughter and a classmate allegedly brought THC-laced candies to a Coconut Creek middle school. Arguelles, 33, is being charged with possession of THC with intent to sell, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, and two counts of child neglect because she also has an 8-year-old son.

She was ordered held in lieu of a $117,500 bond. After learning of her bond, she reportedly tried to plead with Judge Michael Davis during her first court appearance to lower the amount saying she has been “under a lot of stress,” but the judge did not comply with her request. It is unclear if Arguelles has acquired the services of an attorney.

According to the arrest report, Arguelles’ teenage daughter and the girl’s 13-year-old friend were caught distributing bags of marijuana-laced gummy bears at Lyons Creek Middle School in Coconut Creek on March 25.Police reportedly found the 14-year-old with over a dozen drug-laced gummies, which she and her friend allegedly sold for $10 each. She also had over $100 in cash. They were both placed under arrested and charged with possession with intent to sell.

Three students at the school ended up becoming sick after ingesting the candies and had to be treated by paramedics. One of them, a 15-year-old girl, was taken to a hospital.

“The safety and well-being of our students are always our highest priorities. I encourage you to discuss with your child the danger of these items, which are disguised as candy, and the importance of making good decisions,” wrote Horace Hamm, the principle of Lyons Creek Middle School, in a note he reportedly sent to parents.

Arguelles was taken into police custody two days later after Hamm arrived at her house and reportedly heard her yelling at her daughter because she “messed everything up!” Police searched Arguelles’ home and found 86 bags of marijuana-laced gummy bears in her refrigerator. The bags were in plain view inside a box her children could easily access, the police report said.

At Arguelles’ dependency hearing last Thursday, Judge Kenneth Gillespie temporarily revoked custody of her children while her criminal case moved forward. The custody of her teenage daughter was given to a maternal aunt and custody of her 8-year-old son was given to the children’s father. The judge also ordered a substance abuse screening for her 14-year-old daughter, who is being held at a juvenile assessment center.

Arguelles has an extensive criminal record that includes an arrest and charges of child neglect. She was also investigated by the Department of Children and Families (DCF) for allegedly using cocaine in front of her kids.

Drug crimes involving cannabis are the most commonly persecuted in Florida. Possession with intent to distribute marijuana is a very serious criminal offense that often carries a minimum mandatory sentence of 5 years depending on the facts of the case, the defendant’s criminal history, and other factors.